In the East Broad Top's Rockhill Furnace yard, track three is the track just east of the main. At the request of the railroad, Friends of the EBT began working on the rehabilitation of track three in May 2003.
Originally used for the storage and classification of coal and gannister hoppers, the track has been out of service for at least thirty years due to lack of maintenance. Since then the railroad has had no way to pass one train around another or to run the locomotive to the opposite end of the train (the coach track is not suitable for locomotives.) Also, since the trains have to back into the car shop tracks to allow others to pass, display space has also been very limited. The rehabilitation of the track will give the railroad much more flexibility.
By the end of the September session 120 ties had been installed, tamped and spiked in track 3. Some leveling and lining still needs done, but the track is in good enough condition that the diesel M-7 was able to run down it, a feat that would have been a sure and immediate derailment last year.
The photos below summarize the steps to rehabilitating the track.
The next work session at Rockhill Furnace, and the last for 2003, will be November 1-2. If you care about the future of the East Broad Top Railroad, consider joining us. We can use workers of any skill level. Help us save this historic treasure.
Friends of the East Broad Top
webmaster@febt.org